Headwaters of the Schuylkill River.

Background
Recognizing the interdependence of our environment and quality of life, The Conservation Fund, Natural Lands Trust and the Patrick Center for Environmental Research of The Academy of Natural Sciences have formed a partnership to develop a conservation plan for the entire Schuylkill River watershed. The project is made possible through the largest rivers conservation planning grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to-date.

Purpose
From the headwaters in Schuylkill County to the tidal estuary in Philadelphia, the Schuylkill River watershed includes over 180 streams and covers more than 1,900 square miles within Pennsylvania. The watershed drains portions of eleven counties and links three million people in a way that most of them do not realize. (refer to Schuylkill river watershed map)

The headwaters of the Schuylkill River flow through coal and acid mines that effect water quality downstream.

The purpose of developing the watershed conservation plan is to provide a holistic, ecosystem-based approach to natural resources conservation and land-use planning. By providing a broad context for coordinated watershed conservation efforts as well as a valuable conservation-planning tool, the watershed plan will empower local organizations to focus limited resources more efficiently on projects and solutions most urgently needed.

Scope
The plan will be formulated using a three-step approach:

1. Develop a geographic information system (GIS)-based framework for organizing natural resource data, performing water quality modeling and conducting landscape-level analyses;
2. Conduct an inventory of existing monitoring data, plans and studies completed in the watershed; and
3. Gather public input.

Develop a GIS-based framework for organizing natural resource data, performing water quality modeling and conducting landscape-level analyses

A GIS is a computer hardware and software system designed to collect, manage, analyze and display spatially referenced data. Within the vast 1,900 square-mile watershed, there are numerous diverse issues. The GIS is a tool to help us understand the many parts of this complex system. Data input into the GIS include, for example, topography, roads, political boundaries, soils and hydrography.

Besides compiling GIS data, a hydrologic/water quality model will help identify sources of water pollution. The model predicts annual runoff, average annual soil loss and average annual nutrient loading.

Analysis of the GIS data will not only help determine water quality issues but will also enable the analysis of landscape issues, including riparian buffer widths, forest fragmentation and growth/development patterns. Through the landscape analysis, lands important to preserving water quality, providing habitat and greenway linkages between open space areas will become apparent.

Conduct an inventory of existing monitoring data, plans and studies completed in the watershed
Through the collection and analysis of major plans and studies, the conservation plan will coordinate with existing programs and integrate issues for the entire watershed. Our analysis to-date has identified numerous issues, which can be categorized into 6 broad themes:

• Water Quality
• Water Quantity
• Biodiversity
• Land use and Recreation
• Cultural and Historic Resources
• Institutional and Educational Issues

Gather public input
Our advisory committee provides us with general guidance on watershed issues and plan development. A watershed public opinion poll, regional public meetings and interviews with key public agency officials will provide substantial public input into the development of the plan.

Public Opinion Poll: A telephone survey of 800 watershed residents was conducted to learn about general attitudes about the watershed environment and natural resources. Overall, we found some surprising results. For more information read about the results from our public opinion poll.

Advisory Committee: A diverse 25-member advisory committee, composed of nonprofit organizations, businesses and public agencies, meets to provide general guidance about the development of the plan. A list of advisory committee members is available online.

Public Meetings: A series of 12 regional public meetings will be held throughout the watershed to learn what issues and projects are important to watershed residents. For Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery and Chester Counties these meetings are organized by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. For Berks, Lebanon and Lehigh Counties, the public meetings are organized by the Berks County Conservancy. The Schuylkill River Greenway Association is leading the public meetings for Schuylkill and Carbon Counties. Find out when the next public meeting is scheduled for your area or contact the group organizing the event by referring to "contact us."

Public Agency Interviews: In an effort to improve coordination with public agencies and understand what issues and projects are important to public entities, numerous officials will be interviewed. These interviews will also provide a framework for clarifying what resources exist to support future conservation projects.

The Schuylkill River at Flat Rock Dam.

Completing the Plan
Once the planning process is complete and the plan has been adopted by municipalities and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Schuylkill River will be placed on the Pennsylvania Rivers Registry. Then, local organizations will be eligible for grants to implement the plan's recommendations. The Partners will work with local agencies and nonprofit organizations to help create and implement needed projects.